Barnard's Loop
This wide field image of is from 26 x 3 minute exposures with a modified Canon XSi and a
Canon 85 mm lens at f/3.5, ISO 1600. The Orion Nebula area has been overlaid with an
image from 15 x 30 second exposures. Click on both images for full size.
Canon 85 mm lens at f/3.5, ISO 1600. The Orion Nebula area has been overlaid with an
image from 15 x 30 second exposures. Click on both images for full size.
Around 1900 the American astronomer E.E. Barnard of Yerkes Observatory (University of
Chicago), found a faint ring of gas surrounding the constellation Orion from long exposure
photographs. The ring is now known as Barnard's Loop. It is in the form of an ellipse
elongated in the same direction as the constellation. The image shown below shows the
brightest part of Barnard's Loop which is located to the south of the star Betelgeuse. The
Loop consists of ionized hydrogen which has had its electrons stripped away by the intense
radiation of the very hot stars in Orion's central region. It is possible that Barnard's Loop is
the result of an ancient supernova explosion. An excellent summary of what is known about
Bernard’s Loop can be found here. A much better image of the loop can be seen here.
Chicago), found a faint ring of gas surrounding the constellation Orion from long exposure
photographs. The ring is now known as Barnard's Loop. It is in the form of an ellipse
elongated in the same direction as the constellation. The image shown below shows the
brightest part of Barnard's Loop which is located to the south of the star Betelgeuse. The
Loop consists of ionized hydrogen which has had its electrons stripped away by the intense
radiation of the very hot stars in Orion's central region. It is possible that Barnard's Loop is
the result of an ancient supernova explosion. An excellent summary of what is known about
Bernard’s Loop can be found here. A much better image of the loop can be seen here.
